Question:
How long does it take for an ulcer to heal?

I was diagnosed with an ulcer approximatley a month ago and have been on carafate for four weeks. I still have four weeks to go. The pain has gotten a lot better, but I still sometimes have burning pain especially when my stomach is empty (and sometimes if I eat something spicey). How long should it take for this thing to heal?    — Lisa N M. (posted on September 20, 2002)

September 20, 2002
Is Carafate the only thing you are taking? From what I understand it is just something that coats the ulcer and not treats it. I was prescribed prevacid and carafate. According to my PCP and my Gastroenterologist..6 weeks max using Prevacid. I took it for 4 months with no change in the ulcer.....I get to have it cut out next friday. Yea for me.
   — RebeccaP

September 20, 2002
The original poster here. Yes, carafate was the only thing I was given. He didn't diagnose the ulcer via an endoscope - just my symptoms. I am feeling a lot better, but I still have occasional pain.
   — Lisa N M.

September 20, 2002
I used Prilosec for marginal ulcer. High dose, because it's timed release, and specifically odes. 3 per day for 30 days, then 2 per day for 2 weeks, 1 per day for 1 week. That would clear it up til the next one, anyway. I didn't hear anythign about carrafate til later, and that stuff was great. Then I did the Prilosec dance, BUT did the carrafate at night and it was SOOOO soothing. I finally stopped getting the ulcers (after a lifetime of them) when I had my revision in 2000. I'm pretty happy, as the "purple gold" carried a pretty high price tag, esp at triple dose!
   — vitalady

September 21, 2002
I used to have ulcers all the time... Then I was diagnosed with an ulcer within a month after my surgery, which really depressed me because I thought I would never have an ulcer again. Thank goodness for Carafate! I felt better almost immediately!
   — Janet C.